3 minute read
VIRTUAL SOCIALS
from Connect Magazine
Our online social events offer more chances to connect with others
WORDS MIYO PADI
When Hannah was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2013, Crohn’s & Colitis UK was the only real source of information available to her at the time.
“Not many people were talking about it online and I felt really alone,” says Hannah, who is now one of our virtual event volunteers.
Understanding just how important it was to bring people together during the pandemic – and beyond – we had to find new ways of doing things. So, we created virtual social events to keep people connected and provide vital peer support.
Last year we hosted 70 virtual events, including six specifically for parents and carers of children with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Recent feedback shows they continue to be a real success, with 84% of attendees saying they felt less isolated since attending a virtual event, and had made a connection with other people affected by or living with Crohn’s or Colitis.
“Everyone is made to feel warmly welcome in a friendly environment,” one attendee said afterwards. “It was very helpful and supportive.”
And four in five attendees reported feeling more comfortable talking to others about Crohn’s or Colitis since taking part.
There are country-specific and regional events, but you can attend any of these events no matter where you’re based. The overall discussion is driven by those attending.
“It’s really nice to not feel so alone and isolated, being able to chat and share the one thing we all had in common – our IBD,” said another attendee.
“Volunteering as a virtual social event host makes me feel part of a community that’s there to support each other,” says Hannah. “Volunteering never feels like a job – I look forward to it!
“It has empowered me. I’m more passionate now about breaking the invisible barriers –especially in the workplace.”
Another volunteer, Muzher, says: “Because I have Crohn’s, I believe I can tap into the experiences I have had living with Crohn’s – especially past, I do wish I had started volunteering with Crohn’s & Colitis UK much sooner. I’d recommend it to everyone. It does take energy and commitment, but I feel you get more than enough back. I’ve attended many events, and it’s been great to meet a range of other folks to share experiences.”
Thomas Hough, our Volunteering and Local Networks Officer, says: through my teenage years – to help support others.
“At the same time, I can learn plenty from other volunteers too. While I don’t dwell on mistakes made in the
“We’re really proud of what our volunteers have created and are so grateful for the time they give to support others. These events offer more flexibility for people who might benefit from peer support. Whatever your circumstances, we hopefully have a meet-up to suit you.”
Star Supporters
hen my wee brother was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis eight years ago, it turned our worlds upside down,” Hannah Bardell MP recently told Prime Minister’s Questions.
“Given one in four people wait over a year for diagnosis, will the Prime Minister and the House support the awareness campaign, Cut the Crap: Get Checked?”
Hannah Bardell’s Livingston constituent Steven Sharp has Crohn’s Disease. After he used our campaign toolkit to seek support for our campaign, PM Rishi Sunak welcomed Hannah’s request for a meeting to discuss support, research and funding for Crohn’s and Colitis.
The PM agreed that these are very difficult conditions for people to live with and added: “I look forward to that discussion.”
We launched our Cut the Crap campaign to make people aware of the symptoms and consequences of Crohn’s and Colitis. We are working with policy-makers, charities and clinicians across the four nations so that every GP knows about Crohn’s and Colitis, and that they have a new clear pathway to refer people on to hospital so they can get diagnosed, get treated and get their lives back. And it’s been making a huge impact.
Our parliamentary launch events in Westminster, Wales and Holyrood brought together over 90 parliamentarians, IBD nurses and health leaders. Throughout the summer, you’ll see adverts on digital platforms and in spots such as gyms, university halls and student unions. Please take a selfie with them and tag us on social media: #cutthecrap.
So far, our online symptom checker has been completed by over 60,000 people, who received information on whether they should contact their GP about their symptoms.
“WWESTMINSTER LAUNCH
Baroness Young hosted the campaign launch in the House of Lords. Alongside MPs and clinicians, we welcomed our ambassadors –actor Sacha Dhawan, singer Tom Speight, TV presenter Chris Tarrant and reality TV star Louise Thompson.
“My symptoms were diarrhoea and cramping very soon after eating food. If at the time I’d had the symptom checker, I would have maybe been like, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s me.’ I could have printed off the symptom checker and gone to my next GP appointment feeling more confident and able to self-advocate.”
